About Huda
I am a chartered urban planner (MRTPI) and a chartered environmentalist (CEnv). My work involves advising on city and regional plans, master plans and mega infrastructure projects as well as strategic policy frameworks for future-ready cities.
Building on my unique multidisciplinary education and experience, I love to shed light on some of the opportunities, complexities, challenges and synergies for liveable, resilient and sustainable cities. I am eager to explore beyond the limits of current thinking, engaging and collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders to find innovative ways to think about and solve the ‘wicked’ challenges of cities.
I started my professional career in 2007, as an environmental specialist with Dubai Holding advising on environmental assessments and sustainability strategies. I then joined the global consultancy Arup where I spent 12 years working on ambitious planning and design projects throughout the GCC including Dubai Expo 2020, Abu Dhabi Integrated Public Transport Network and Abu Dhabi Plan Capital 2030 update.
In 2020, I took a leap into the public sector, joining the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites as an Associate Advisor on urban planning. In 2021, I joined the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi as an Advisor in Planning and Infrastructure.
As one of a small but growing number of female leaders in the built environment, I am passionate about inclusion and empowerment and conscious of the barriers and opportunities for women regionally and globally. I have served on multiple boards, including being a board member of the Emirates Green Building Council where I introduced the EGBC Women’s Network.
I am also an author and international speaker on topics related to sustainability, wellbeing and Arab cities. In 2015, I started this website to give my perspective a voice and trigger conversations and collaborations.
Prominent Organizations I Have Worked With
